Cicero IL vs Fargo ND — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026

Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)

Cicero, IL

Illinois · Population: 26,938

  • Median HH Income$57,479
  • Median Home Price$268,119
  • Unemployment12.7%
  • Bachelor's+20.2%

Fargo, ND

North Dakota · Population: 129,064

  • Median HH Income$66,029
  • Median Home Price$318,584
  • Unemployment3.9%
  • Bachelor's+43.2%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Cicero
26,938
Fargo
129,064
Fargo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cicero
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Cicero
35.6
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Cicero
15.7%
Cicero +
Fargo
9.7%
White
Cicero
26.6%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Cicero
40.3%
Cicero +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Cicero
0.2%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Cicero
37.2%
Cicero +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Cicero
N/A
Fargo
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Cicero
$57,479
Fargo
$66,029
Fargo +
Per Capita Income
Cicero
$25,488
Fargo
$42,212
Fargo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cicero
$68,110
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Cicero
12.7%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Poverty Rate
Cicero
24.7%
Fargo
12.8%
Fargo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cicero
20.2%
Fargo
43.2%
Fargo +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cicero
$268,119
Cicero +
Fargo
$318,584
Homeownership Rate
Cicero
63.2%
Cicero +
Fargo
44.1%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
344
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cicero
1842
Cicero +
Fargo
2037

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
35.5%
Fargo
34.3%
Fargo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cicero
13.5%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cicero
16.5%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cicero
29.7%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cicero
19.0%
Cicero +
Fargo
21.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cicero
12.8%
Fargo
11.8%
Fargo +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Fargo
42.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cicero
N/A
Fargo
22.6 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cicero
9.4 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cicero
55.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Fargo +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cicero
33.7 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +

Which City is Right for You?

Fargo leads in median household income at $66,029, while cicero offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $268,119. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Cicero. Fargo has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Fargo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fargo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.

Compare More Cities

About Cicero & Fargo